Research Publications (Food Safety)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a natural antimicrobial agent (Pronat) on selected quality indicators during the shelf life of vacuum-packed frankfurters made from jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) muscle. Frankfurters with and without Pronat (0.1%) were vacuum-packed and stored at 2–4C for up to 28 days.

The occurrence of outbreaks of Cronobacter sakazakii causing necrotizing meningitis in China highlights the need for strain characterization of this pathogenic species. In this study, SMM system was utilized to mine for new molecular markers of C. sakazakii. One C. sakazakii-specific CDS (>ref|NC_009778.1|:c1077329-1076055) with a length of 1,275 bp was used to design a primer set. A PCR assay was developed and optimized to detect C. sakazakii.

Noroviruses are the most common causative agent of viral gastroenteritis in humansand are responsible for major foodborne illnesses in the United States. Filter-feeding molluscan shellfish exposed to sewage-contaminated waters bioaccumulate viruses, and if consumed raw, transmit the viruses to humans and cause illness.

The study investigated fresh tomato fruits (Roma VF variety) prepared into paste, proportioned into different samples with each receiving different concentrations of ginger, ginger and garlic powder (2 and 4% w/w) and stored over a period of 8 weeks. The total viable (TVC), lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast counts of the samples were enumerated on a weekly basis while the pure microbial isolates were identified.

Adrianna Raczkowska, Joanna Trzos, Olga Lewandowska, Marta Nieckarz, Katarzyna Brzostek

The role of chromosomal toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems, ubiquitous within the genomes of free-living bacteria, is still debated. We have scanned the Vibrio cholerae N16961 genome for class 2 TA genes and identified 18 gene-pair candidates. Interestingly, all but one are located in the chromosome 2 superintegron (SI). The single TA found outside of the SI is located on chromosome 1 and is related to the well-characterized HipAB family known to play a role in antibiotic persistence.

Publication date: Available online 17 April 2015

Author(s): Gerjo J. de Knegt , Irma A.J.M. Bakker-Woudenberg , Dick van Soolingen , Rob Aarnoutse , Martin J. Boeree , Jurriaan E.M. de Steenwinkel

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

In food safety management, sampling is an important tool for verifying control. Sampling by nature is a stochastic process. However, uncertainty regarding results is made even greater by the uneven distribution of microorganisms in a batch of food. This article reviews statistical aspects of sampling and describes the impact of distributions on the sampling results.

Volume 6, Page 411-433, April 2015, ISSN 1941-1413, eISSN 1941-1421.

Foodborne bacterial pathogens encounter many environmental insults or stresses during food production, processing, storage, distribution, and preparation. However, these pathogens can sense changes in their surroundings and can respond by altering gene expression. A protective response may follow that increases tolerance to one or more stresses.

Tobias Dörr, Brigid M. Davis, Matthew K. Waldor

Aim
To examine the occurrence and quantity of potential pathogens and an indicator of microbial contamination in the sediments of municipal drinking water storage tanks (MDWSTs), given the absence of such data across the United States.

Publication date: Available online 18 April 2015 Food Bioscience Author(s): Fang Yang , Qi Liu , Siyi Pan , Can Xu , Youling L. Xiong The aim of this research was to study the chemical composition and processing adaptability of Chinese chestnuts grown in ten different ecological regions. Results, based on the harvest season 2012, showed that geographic locations significantly influenced the nutritional contents and quality traits of Chinese chestnuts.

Publication date: July 2015
, Volume 219
Author(s): Lixiang Jiang , Jing Luo , Wenjie Dong , Chengmin Wang , Wen Jin , Yuetong Xia , Haijing Wang , Hua Ding , Long Jiang , Hongxuan He

Among 56 blood isolates of Vibrio species identified by sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA and rpoB genes, the Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system correctly identified all isolates of Vibrio vulnificus (n = 20), V. parahaemolyticus (n = 2), and V. fluvialis (n = 1) but none of the isolates of serogroup non-O1/O139 (non-serogroup O1, non-O139) V. cholerae (n = 33) to the species level.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an enteropathogen of public health concern because of its ability to cause serious illness and outbreaks. In this prospective study, a diagnostic screening algorithm to categorize STEC infections into risk groups was evaluated. The algorithm consists of prescreening stool specimens with real-time PCR (qPCR) for the presence of stx genes.

Diarrhea due to enteric bacterial pathogens causes significant morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. However, bacterial pathogens may be infrequently identified. Currently, culture and enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) are the primary methods used by clinical laboratories to detect enteric bacterial pathogens.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is endemic in Europe and hyperendemic in southern France. Recent reports of a high prevalence of HEV RNA in blood donations and in culinary specialties from this geographical area confirmed the endemicity of HEV and sources of viral transmission in this geographical area. HEV causes acute and chronic hepatitis in solid organ transplant recipients.

Serotyping forms the basis of national and international surveillance networks for Salmonella, one of the most prevalent foodborne pathogens worldwide ( 1 – 3 ). Public health microbiology is currently being transformed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS), which opens the door to serotype determination using WGS data.

The impact of bread fortification with dry spent yeast from brewing industry on physical, chemical and sensorial characteristics of home-made bread was evaluated with the goal of increasing its β-glucan content. A serving of 50 g of bread fortified with dry spent yeast increased β-glucan intake from 65 to 125 mg, which is within the guidelines suggested by European Food Safety Authority.